ORBIS plans to promote awareness of the importance of facial cleanliness among communities in remote regions of Ethiopia. This will slow the spread of bacteria which causes infection and ultimately prevent people from contracting trachoma. ORBIS representatives will train teachers on primary eye care (SAFE strategy and vision testing) and encourage children to regularly wash their hands. This will directly impact the school communities, and have a significant effect on the wider community.
Trachoma is an infectious eye disease and it continues to bring pain, blindness and poverty to millions. The disease is highly infectious and prevalent in Ethiopia. Trachoma is linked to poor sanitation, poor personal hygiene and scarcity of water. Lack of awareness of the importance of hygiene and face-washing is also a contributing factor in the transmission of the disease. By educating children and communities, they will understand the importance of facial cleanliness and personal hygiene.
One of the best ways to prevent the transmission of trachoma is by encouraging face and hand washing. This will slow the spread of bacteria which causes infection and ultimately prevent people from contracting trachoma. This project will raise awareness of the importance of facial cleanliness and hygiene. Teachers will be trained in primary eye care and vision testing. They will encourage children to wash hands and become involved in school eye care clubs to maintain cleanliness standards.
ORBIS has adopted the WHO's SAFE strategy, which involves conducting surgery, distributing antibiotics, raising awareness of facial cleanliness and improving the local environment. Promoting personal hygiene and facial cleanliness will help slow the spread of bacteria which causes infection and ultimately prevent people from contracting trachoma. Through teacher training and establishing eye care clubs it is possible to enable communities to bring long term changes in sanitation and hygiene.
Through teacher training and establishing eye care clubs in schools, it is possible to access communities to bring long term behavioral changes and greater impacts at community level.
- Dr Alemayehu Sisah, Project Manager
Total Funding Received to Date: $30
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $1,530
Total Funding Goal: $1,560
Donate by US Mobile Phone
Promote This Project On Your Site
Get Updates via Email
